Instead, I lay there, staring up at the ceiling. I’d like to say sleep was evasive because of all the pressure I was under with the baby and my marriage to Rafe, not to mention Father’s latest threats.
But it wasn’t.
It was all about Leo’s kiss.
My lips remained swollen and fiery long after I’d gone to bed. I lay there for hours just rubbing the back of my fingers over them as I relived every moment between us.
The warmth of his mouth.
The slide of his tongue.
The way I’d never felt more connected to anyone in my life.
It wasn’t just the kiss. It was our proclamation of love. Although it felt so right in the moment, I don’t know what the hell we were thinking. Despite thinking Leo cared for me, it was mind-altering to learn the depth of his feelings. There were no more guessing games or thinking it was just infatuation.
It was pure and true.
But like all star-crossed lovers, it wasn’t meant to be.
My thoughts were interrupted when my door creaked open. Rising up on my forearms, I peered at the doorway. With herhead tucked to her chin, Audrianna came tiptoeing into the room.
When she reached the side of the bed, I flung back the covers for her. Once she had snuggled against me, she lay her head against my chest. “Can’t sleep either?” I asked softly.
“No,” she murmured.
Guilt immediately flooded me at the thought that it was because of my actions tonight. After lying there in silence for a few moments, I turned my head on my pillow to look at her. “Audie, we need to talk about what you saw.”
She raised her head to look at me. “I’m not going to tell.”
“I know that.” I brushed the hair out of her face. “It’s more that I’m sorry you saw that.”
With a roll of her eyes, Audrianna said, “I’m thirteen, not three. I’ve seen people making out before. I’ve even done it myself.”
“I know, but–” I blinked my eyes at her. “Whoa, wait a minute. Who have you been making out with?”
“None of your business.”
“As your older sister, it is very much my business.”
She snorted. “Considering you were just making out with your future brother-in-law, I don’t think you need to be lecturing me.”
With a groan, I countered, “Leo and I…it’s complicated.”
“It didn’t seem so complicated when he had his tongue down your throat.”
I wrinkled my nose at the description. “Way to make it sound sleazy.”
“He was seriously eating your face off.”
A laugh burst from my lips at the absurdity of the moment. “That’s what happens when you spend a year wanting to kiss someone but can’t.”
“A year?”
“Pretty much.”
“Jesus, D.”
With a grin, I replied, “Trust me. I know.”